Magnificent or Mundane May Rides! [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Crankin

05-02-2014, 09:51 AM

My first ride in May was my commute today. It's really nice out, after 2-3 days of cold rain. It was about 52 when I left for work at 9, and really humid, as we actually had a thunderstorm about 10 PM last night. I did not sweat a bit on my way in. I left to come home at around 12:30-12:45 and it's about 65, with a wind that is kind of stiff at times. The sun is in and out. By the time I got to my street, before I went up the hill, I had the jersey and vest unzipped, and the arm warmers pushed down. Yet, I saw some wearing full winter gear. I don't like to be cold, but maybe it was the humidity that had me sweating. A big 10.4 miles, but I feel like I worked.

Veronica

05-02-2014, 10:46 AM

I rode my bike in the trainer after work yesterday - Hillacious. It was about 93 degrees when I got off work, hard to head outside when it's that hot!

Veronica

SheFly

05-02-2014, 12:54 PM

V - I am shaking my head. It's been SO COLD, and SO RAINY here, that I think I would take the 93 degrees!

Went out last night for a ride that ended up being beautiful in so many ways. First, I stopped to help a little boy who had his helmet on backwards. We turned it around, and he was SO EXCITED to let me know that he and his friend were racing, and when the got to the big puddle, they lifted their feet, and rode right through! Then, it was so beautiful out, I actually stripped my gloves and my arm warmers off. A bit further down the road, I bumped into a really good friend, and we stood and chatted for probably a good half hour. Her daughter committed suicide about a year and a half ago, so we chatted about that, and my brother (approaching the five year anniversary of his suicide). I left continuing on my ride, and instead of being sad or melancholy, I realized how happy I was - I thought of my brother and the good memories we had, I thought of my friend and her daughter, and both brought a smile to my face. As I passed daffodils and tulips finally in bloom after a long, cold, snowy winter, I smiled some more and thought of my beloved grandma.

Traffic was pleasant, other riders were waving back at me, the sun was out, and I really was just enjoying the ride. Later, I passed a farm and the smells reminded me of time spent on my aunt's farm, bringing more smiles. When I got home, I was so relaxed and happy. DH asked how my ride was, and my answer was - BEAUTIFUL.

I forget, with all of the training and racing, to sometimes just appreciate the beauty of the ride. Last night reminded me how important that was.

SheFly (who is just in from another glorious day of riding, but with a bit more purpose, as tomorrow is another race day)

ny biker

05-02-2014, 01:02 PM

I rode my bike in the trainer after work yesterday - Hillacious. It was about 93 degrees when I got off work, hard to head outside when it's that hot!

Veronica

I love riding my bike after work when it's 93 degrees. I will rejoice when I finally get the chance to do it again.

Last night was weight training night for me, but I enjoyed the walk to the gym and back. Tomorrow I'll be leading a metric century on a multi-class club ride. I think I will probably want arm warmers to start, and maybe knee warmers, but at some point I should be down to just a short-sleeved jersey and shorts.

Crankin

05-02-2014, 01:35 PM

I'm sad. DH went to replace the shifters on my Kuota and in the process, discovered my rear brake is shot. These brakes are pretty old and so I always think that when it feels less grippy than my Guru, it's because the Guru has a version that are 5 years newer. Then, DH went and checked his Kuota, and it's pretty much the same thing. Obviously, we do regular maintenance, replace pads, cables, etc. as we ride a good amount. DH broke down and is on the phone with the LBS to see if they have what we need, instead of ordering them on line. I really want to ride the Kuota tomorrow on a group ride for other leaders, as I just feel I have better skills in a group with this bike. Not that I haven't used the Guru on group rides, but's that's usually when big climbs are involved and tomorrow is not one of those. I think I said last week the Kuota is starting to show its age... not that I need a new carbon bike, but I need to spend some money here.
ETA: We bought the brakes, and they are installed on both Kuotas.Poor DH worked from about 3:30 PM to 8 PM on the shifters on my bike and both brakes. He has to miss the ride for leaders tomorrow because our dryer is dying and we are getting a new one (and a new washer) delivered between 4 and 6. He'll make the dinner, though.

Dragonfly5

05-02-2014, 06:09 PM

The husband and I rode just shy of ten miles today. I wanted to ride a little further but the sky got really dark and we had a few passing sprinkles and the wind picked up. Of course, by the time we got home the sun came back out (and then a little later clouded up and rained again - gotta love Maine weather) It felt great to be out and I finally got up the courage to ride over the railroad tracks with the road bike. I know it's a silly thing, but I'm slowly gaining confidence in my abilities :)

emily_in_nc

05-02-2014, 06:29 PM

I got my 32.5 miles in today (on the DOT!) to make my 2000 miles for the year so far. Yay! But more than that, it was a glorious day, sunny, bright, and (of course) breezy, and we tried a different route today that we regretted not trying sooner. It was gorgeous, with rolling hills, and fewer stoplights/stop signs than most of our rides here. The houses, yards, flowers, trees, were all so pretty, and the grass so green. Truly a wonderful day to be alive! Here's just a bit of what I saw along Lee Blvd. in Leawood, KS, where we rode today....

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17072 17073

Dragonfly5

05-03-2014, 07:57 AM

Looks like a beautiful ride Emily :)

Fredwina

05-03-2014, 10:32 AM

I did ten yesterday and thirty today. wonderful weather.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FnXGMRUXxH0/U2UOH6Hmf-I/AAAAAAAAYLM/iW2T6mNx2bo/s640/100_3382.JPG
The City Of New Orleans
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oJDHnfhI97o/U2UOMT1yynI/AAAAAAAAYLk/oHRpq0oUivA/s640/100_3385.JPG
Beale St. Music festival:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0jmjVDHbF0/U2UONro7K-I/AAAAAAAAYLs/9bTjoKeBbOY/s640/100_3386.JPG
The Peabody Hotel:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z0LUHtznLsM/U2UPNNIAomI/AAAAAAAAYMg/fIL-aSiXn9I/s640/100_3391.JPG
Need a guitar? or tickets to game 7 tonight?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gfPyCoqBigI/U2UPLjLJL-I/AAAAAAAAYMY/BEZ0YhH9MfQ/s640/100_3390.JPG
Civil Rights Pioneer:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m9Eir_TXBME/U2UPI6lxoKI/AAAAAAAAYMI/Gv1d7S950dQ/s640/100_3388.JPG
Underpass on Barksdale street, near where my grandparent's house was:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JuG-hvmyKeE/U2UPa4mVX_I/AAAAAAAAYOI/ljL3eNfrS1U/s640/100_3403.JPG

TrekDianna

05-03-2014, 12:56 PM

I commuted twice last week on the new Salsa Vaya 3 and I love it. I took it out today on a 15 mile ride (had to get something in before the downpour and chores took over the rest of the day.) I am happy with it. it's actually pretty zippy for the weight.

emily_in_nc

05-03-2014, 01:53 PM

Today we did two rides. First was just up to the farmer's market before breakfast -- < 7 miles round trip. After a big pancake breakfast back at the ranch, we did a long road ride. It was finally shorts and SS jersey weather, and for the first time this spring, I think, there was hardly ANY wind. Beautiful day! I got in 47.8 miles on that ride. And just to show that eastern KS is not flat, here's a sign we saw after climbing one of the monster hills just west of the KC area...

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Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday! I'm thinking a recovery ride tomorrow will be in order...trying to think of a flatter route to do!

colorisnt

05-03-2014, 02:49 PM

I have friends that run in KC all the time and my "in laws" run there quite a bit. They have all said "NOT FLAT". It's like here. Everyone thinks MO is flat but CoMo is anything but. Jeff is worse!

We rode about 41 and some miles today! Yay for us. I got injured in softball last night. I took a ball to the jaw and am BRUISED. Thankfully it's hide-able or else everyone would think my mild-mannered SO was abusing me. I was bleeding yesterday night but I still played and got a run! Yay! I'm hopeless but I hit well last night. We decided to get a big breakfast and TRY to ride. What a beautiful day! We got to our destination, ate a corndog, and then rode back. Tried to stop at the new microbrewery on the way home but it was nothing but frat boys. So annoying and they were taking tables without using them which is just stupid behavior. We turned home and I ended up with a Lagunitas limited release Cappuccinno Stout. So fun. We paced slow today (between 13 and 14) on purpose because the trail was BUSY and I was injured.

I was glad I sucked it up and did it, though, because I had an awesome ride.

Boudicca

05-03-2014, 04:11 PM

Got very wet, even on a short ride. It wasn't raining when we started, and then it drizzled, and then it really rained. Practice for tomorrow's group ride, perhaps. I am taking the Friday, because it's the only bike I've got with fenders. I figure the extra workout won't do me any harm, and it has more gears than the other bikes anyway.

I'll actually be riding the same route as a few weeks back, so I'm curious whether there is a difference in the speed between the two bikes.

Crankin

05-03-2014, 04:34 PM

My ride today was crazy. This was for leaders, and there were supposed to be 2 rides, a 20 and 30 mile ride. There were only 10 people, so we set out to do 26. It was lightly raining when we left, had my Showers Pass jacket on. We stopped, so we could take jackets off, etc. and when I unzipped my jacket, the zipper pull disappeared. I mean it's gone. Since the zipper on one of the pit zips is stuck in open, this jacket is going in the trash. It will cost more to fix it than to get a new one on a discount site. Boo. There was a mix of abilities, but it was really nice out and pleasant, until halfway, when right when we went up the only bigger hill of the ride, one guy said he was struggling, recovering from bronchitis. The leader is a super experienced guy, but he has a bad sense of direction, even with a gps... he missed 2 turns before this. Anyway, I told him a slightly shorter, flatter way to get back to his own house, and I started leading. I turned off of a main road to take a short cut to another main road, and somehow he missed us. Anyway, we all got back, in a couple of different groups, but I ended up a little more sweaty than I planned.
The food was good at the party afterwards. DH joined me for the dinner, as he had to stay home to await our new washer and dryer. I think it was about 25 miles... I took the gps off the course and I pressed so many things on that screen, I don't even know what I did.

azfiddle

05-03-2014, 06:18 PM

Today's ride started with a discussion about training and nutrition by a pro rider for Team Cloud who is also a coach for several of our team members. Then we had drills with cones and water bottles to practice bike handling skills and a some pace line practice. Our group seemed woefully undisciplined today on the paceline, which seemed quite surprising as there are so many of us who are experienced at riding in pacelines. Some of the ladies went on up Mt. Lemmon but I had to turn back early to get home for the Tucson Folk Festival this afternoon. So it was only about 19 miles. Maybe tomorrow will be ride on the mountain.

The coach had good suggestions and offered to preview some of the future rides and point out some areas where we might want to practice group skills for the future.

ny biker

05-03-2014, 07:05 PM

I had a great ride today. It was a big multi-class club ride with three distances to choose from, and I lead the B group on the metric route. Except I rode sweep at the low end of the B pace while most everyone else was a high-B rider. And I was delayed leaving two of the rest stops (trying to get my wool Kneekers off over my bike shoes at one and needing eye drops for my pollen-irritated contact lenses at another). So most of my group were too far up the road for me to see for most of the ride, and I rode alone for some of it. But the weather was near perfect and we had fun. There were 23 of us in all -- too many for one person to manage, but there were enough experienced ride leaders in the group to help make sure everyone rode without any major incidents.

I took a couple of short-cuts so I ended up riding 58 miles rather than 62. It was still my longest ride of the year so far. My legs were a bit tired mid-way through the ride but at the end they actually felt pretty good. And I averaged 14.2 mph, which is faster than most of the rides I've done lately.

With our club, you earn a ride leader's jersey if you lead at least six rides in a year. Today was my first day wearing the jersey that I earned last year. It's a nice Louis Garneau jersey.

rebeccaC

05-03-2014, 08:52 PM

Rode over the Santa Monica Mountains to Simi Valley. The hardest part of the ride was Black Canyon Rd leaving Chatsworth and Box Canyon Rd back into Chatsworth. Black Canyon was just a brutal climb for me. Even the descent was difficult. It was so hard that Box Canyon seemed like a recovery ride. I stopped for stretching, fluids and calling to make a massage appointment at the top of Black Canyon. It got into the 90’s by early afternoon and that made me happy we weren’t on either of those canyon roads then and on the descent off the SM mountains to Pacific Coast Highway.

82 miles.

http://rchauvin.smugmug.com/Other/April/n-zSxWX/i-5X9FLjW/0/L/box-L.jpg

Crankin

05-04-2014, 06:50 AM

Helene2013

05-04-2014, 07:05 AM

two nice rides on Friday afternoon and yesterday afternoon. Both we ended up being wet from rain. Friday was bad! Lots of rain and cold, and super windy. Took the afternoon off from work to ride and we had to cut it short. Yesterday just a few drizzles and we closed the garage door just on time before the big storm. Whouhou! But again had to cut it short! Blah!

Today, no way to go for a ride. Still raining strong. blah. Where is the nice weather? But at least yesterday I met a friend who was walking her 2 dogs in the grass while we were on the path. Nice chat and different than in work environment. People (cars and those on paths) were very nice and giving us the space we needed. Trees are starting to get the leaves (well the buds) out. We're behind in the season. Can't wait to ride a beautiful Saturday morning with just the sun, some cool weather and come back relaxed and smiley instead of stressed and upset about weather..again... lol

salsabike

05-04-2014, 08:05 AM

Wow, RebeccaC! Those are some two climbs you did! Brutal.

We did our monthly 100k tandem ride yesterday on my favorite route AND saw the yearling filly we'd seen as a new foal a year ago! I thought you all might like to see her--1707617077

SheFly

05-04-2014, 09:32 AM

Meh, just went to meet friends for a nice hilly ride and it's raining. It wasn't supposed to start until much later. It's also windy and not so warm out. We turned around. There might be a window to do a short ride in a bit, but right now, I am drinking more coffee.

Windy is an understatement! Just back from 47 miles. It rained, and felt like it might turn to sleet at one point! The wind was brutal in every direction, too. Still good to get out, and the sun did shine for a little bit. Guess I didn't need that sunscreen on my arms though - never took the arm warmers off.

SheFly

colorisnt

05-04-2014, 09:38 AM

Salsabike,

As a former equestrienne, I think that's so cool!

I took my "horse" out today on about a 14 mile ride. Brings me up to about 94-95 miles for the week. Not too shabby despite AWFUL weather. I led our group once on the way there and back and then hung back for some riders pacing slower and worked on resistance. This is the women's group in town I look forward to riding with all week so it was awesome. Now, I'm back at my office about to dissertate some more while the SO works a Sunday shift. Beautiful weekend for riding and feeling great. This is how I know I am getting back into good shape. I can ride three straight days with some high mileage and do great.

Crankin

05-04-2014, 10:09 AM

After another aborted attempt (I was putting my shoes on, looked up, and it was pouring), I got out and did the shortest loop possible from my house, 8 miles. I did wear my old rain jacket, since the demise of the newer, expensive one on yesterday's ride. As soon as I started climbing Strawberry Hill, I knew I should have taken a rest day. Anyway, I had it all, rain, gusts of wind so bad I was blown into the middle of the road, and sun. While I did get my average up to a decent speed for me, I was lagging way behind DH. I am glad I went out, as DH said, where else can you get an 8 mile ride and climb 500+ feet?
I should rest tomorrow, but it's boot camp day. Probably no rest until next Friday. Weather not looking good for our club ride we are leading next weekend.

emily_in_nc

05-04-2014, 11:52 AM

Wow, sounds like nearly everyone had bad weather this weekend! Not here in KC...we had it last week, but this weekend has been GORGEOUS.

Today was a recovery ride for me, 30 miles, and I avoided all the hills I could. I stopped frequently to take photos of flowers and such. My legs felt kinda sluggish, but not as bad as I thought after yesterday's hard effort.

For those of you suffering in rain and still-not-quite spring, here are a few of the photos I took today as I rode around.

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We are supposed to have glorious weather until Thursday. By then I'll be ready for rain and a day off the bike.

Sorry about your jacket, crankin. Sucks when something like that happens!

Boudicca

05-04-2014, 11:54 AM

Windy here too, flags straight out and bitingly cold. Group of six, but I was the snail. The slower riders didn't show today (I am usually well ahead of them), and I was riding my Bike Friday, which is a lot heavier than the regular road bike. And I was probably just feeling slow. But it's the only bike I have with fenders and the forecast said it might rain.

It didn't, but it never really warmed up either.

shootingstar

05-04-2014, 02:36 PM

It has been wet light snow, melting on ground and some light rain the whole day. :( However unlike yesterday, I bicycled more today --a grand total of probably 12 km. The ride was interspersed with 2 public outdoor art walks ..in recognition of Jane's Walks worldwide. Jane Jacobs was a Canadian who became known for her theories on urban livability for better urban planning --ie. walkable, vibrant cities and neighbourhoods.

rebeccaC

05-04-2014, 04:39 PM

a very leisurely ride through the venice beach alleys to photograph some of the street art etc. and then to the farmers market. going to ride to my fellowship meeting soon and then spend the night catching up on some of my work. The past few days of heat broke and it was a delightful low 70's today with a cool breeze from the ocean.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/13922317709_cfde89d7d0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ndgw1v)

salsabike....nice image, she's a beautiful filly!!...i just luv the greenness of the PNW....maybe not the rain that keeps it that way though:)

Sky King

05-05-2014, 06:24 AM

I think I will title this, "why we plank" or something like that, to bad the DH didn't get the shot when I was under the fence. Am sending to the Wilderness Ranger as we aren't so sure this fence is legal - no gate and it is BLM land, not private land. Another terrific ride in the Owyhee Desert. Flowers were out in force. Only saw one snake (bull snake) Did some riding in the dark and saw numerous little desert pack rats. Spooked a herd of deer while stopped to admire a herd of Antelope - crazy.
17083

emily_in_nc

05-05-2014, 12:37 PM

colorisnt

05-05-2014, 07:14 PM

Hahaha, Skyking.

Got 20 miles in QUICK today averaged 15 mph on the way there, slightly higher on the way back. The BF and I were both just like, "Let's GO!". I got another 5 in on the commute so YAY for 25 miles.

SheFly

05-06-2014, 05:11 AM

Went out on the MTB last night. Trails I can ride blind folded. Ended up crashing HARD not once, but TWICE! I NEVER crash. I was pretty embarrassed about it. Thankfully fine, just a banged up knee and a bruised ego ;). The best was trying to make it uphill into a feature we call the "gravity cavity", not quite making it, and falling over backwards like a turtle. I'm sure it was a sight.

SheFly

Jolt

05-06-2014, 05:59 AM

Ouch, SheFly! Glad it wasn't too bad. I am about to go give blood (which pretty much rules out any real exercise the rest of the day) but managed to get out for a quick ride this morning. Trying to figure out the Cyclemeter app on the iPhone but not sure how accurate it is (top speed was supposedly 45.45 mph...I know there was one long descent where I got going pretty fast but not sure it was THAT fast). Total distance 9.85 miles, 313 ft elevation.

Veronica

05-06-2014, 06:03 AM

SheFly

05-06-2014, 08:28 AM

I felt like I might have been given how I was riding! I'll have to go back and get a pick of the gravity cavity. It's a fun feature that can be ridden in either direction, though harder in the direction we did last night. I've fallen backwards there once before but MANY years ago! I was on the SS last night, and couldn't get my act together.

I say I can ride these trails blindfolded because DH and I built a lot of them, and I ride there A LOT. While not blindfolded, I have had to ride my way out in the dark with no light...

SheFly

colorisnt

05-06-2014, 09:15 AM

Ouch, SheFly! I'm glad you're okay!

Fredwina

05-06-2014, 12:14 PM

Rode out to the university and back before it got too hot.
A bike shop had a fire Sunday: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/may/05/memphis-firms-plan-recovery-from-highland-street/
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kizhlfzpzIY/U2k_MxsoIYI/AAAAAAAAYQk/fnOE02rjTxY/s640/100_3404.JPG

emily_in_nc

05-06-2014, 06:29 PM

Great 55-mile road ride today, my longest of the year. Quite windy but very warm. We rode far enough to actually get out into the "country" (hard to do from KC!) and got to see the coolest pair of birds -- Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers. So beautiful! Unfortunately only had my tiny 3x zoom camera, but you can still get an idea:

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Also out past very pretty Lake Olathe, and on the way back to Prairie Village stopped in a cool bike shop in historic downtown Lenexa as DH snapped his rear derailleur cable just a block from there (our guardian angel was definitely riding along as it couldn't have happened in a better place!) The owner also roasts and sells lovely coffee beans, so the shop smelled FINE. He offered us some fresh brew, but we were too warm (it was in the mid- to upper 80s today) to partake. The shop had a variety of very nice bikes, some of which the owner builds himself (steel). He also carries Surly, Kona, and a few others whose names I didn't recognize. Retro-looking jerseys, Brooks saddles, and such as well. Just a very high-caliber, interesting shop. Got to see my first Long Haul Trucker in the flesh! They fixed the cable for the price of parts only, perhaps since we also bought some Chain-L lube. Sweet!

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Finally, we stopped in at Sheridan's for a delicious concrete when almost home...thus negating all the calories we'd burned on the ride. So worth it, though!

17088

colorisnt

05-07-2014, 05:37 AM

Wow Fredwina. That's too bad.

Cool ride, Emily!

Crankin

05-07-2014, 11:10 AM

Today I went on my first group ride with the "other" club I belong to. Not the one I lead for. The ride started in a hilly area I ride in frequently, and I really wanted to do the longer ride (42 miles), but it was also the fast group, and on this type of ride, I'd be dying with them. Overall, this group is social and not super fast, but I made a good decision. I rode 31 miles through Bolton, Harvard, Boxborough, Stow, and back to the leader's condo clubhouse, where we had a catered lunch in exchange for donations to the PMC. This was serious suffering for me, about 2500- 3K feet of climbing in my estimation and every big hill around. I stayed up front with the big boys, who actually were pushing it for the "moderate" group. They slowed a lot on the hills and I actually did my best here.
Glad I did this, because I need to get my azz in gear. It's gorgeous out. I rode in short sleeves and shorts, although I did have a sleeveless base layer on. Also, it was my first ride trying out Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix. It's a +1 for me. No aftertaste and no stomach pain. Very light and fresh. I had decided to go with the Nuun R Naturals for an electrolyte only product, since it is so much cheaper than the Skratch electrolytes. I hate the flavors of the Nuun r Naturals... just don't like Chai and Acai, but I'll use them, since I use those more than the Hydration mix.

colorisnt

05-07-2014, 01:01 PM

emily_in_nc

05-07-2014, 06:29 PM

Today we took out the MTBs and did a mostly utilitarian ride: bank, grocery, auto parts store, but also took in a long stretch of bike trail. It was a VERY windy day and super warm -- 80s during most of the ride and peaked out at 90 after we got home. This was the first ride this year when I've been literally coated with sweat and hair dripping from it. Ugh. We stopped at Sheridan's on the way back again (dangerous that we've found a back way to get there!) and negated our calories burned, but my weight's the lowest it's been in a decade courtesy of all the riding, so I figure I can use the calories! 36.8 miles total but lots of saddle time since we were on the slower, heavier MTBs.

Tomorrow is finally our day off -- supposed to be stormy, rainy, and get much cooler for awhile. Just as well -- 90 in early March is a bit too much!

Catrin

05-08-2014, 06:50 AM

Sounds like fun Emily - even if a bit warm and windy! We are hitting 85 today and I am NOT complaining about it! I hope to get a little ride in over the next two days - depending on how the storms develop that they are calling for over the next few days.

ny biker

05-08-2014, 12:52 PM

I got in a Wednesday-night-hill-ride after work yesterday. It rained at lunchtime but just about all the roads were dry by the time I started. It was cool but comfortable, right around 60 degrees.

The hot weather is here now. I'm looking forward to wearing something sleeveless for my weekend ride.

colorisnt

05-08-2014, 07:25 PM

I will cross my fingers you all get a nice weekend of riding in!

It was so gross out today I didn't get any riding in by the time I could. I did go to the LBS to look for clothes for mom's mother's day gift but they didn't have ANYTHING in an XL. I call BS on that. I have the opposite problem with things like gloves - being too big because I'm so small - but my mom is 5'9'' and built like tennis player or swimmer with strong shoulders, so I ended up getting nothing. Got her something at Marshall's. No riding this weekend. Too busy with my little sister's grad.

Crankin

05-09-2014, 02:19 AM

I am taking a rest day today. It's showery, anyway. Tomorrow am supposed to lead our annual new members' ride, but it's going to have to be called very close to start time. I think the rain will clear out right around start time. It's going to be 75. Sunday, we are doing a pre-ride of our bike rally route with the other leaders; it's going to be 80. Sleeveless is in my future.

Helene2013

05-09-2014, 05:03 AM

emily_in_nc

05-09-2014, 06:47 AM

Yesterday the forecast was for morning and afternoon thunderstorms, with a high % chance of both. We had already decided ahead of time to take the day off from riding as we'd ridden many days in a row. We had an appointment at 1pm for a final walkthrough (we're leaving the house we've been renting in Kansas next week) and spent the morning cleaning house and getting ready for the property manager to come. He had to delay twice due to an eviction proceeding running over, so did not get here until 3:30. It was beautiful out and hadn't rained at all, so by 2:30 pm, DH finally couldn't take it any more and went out for a short ride while I waited for the property manager to arrive. He finally did and DH rolled up right as he was leaving. We then made cookies and pizza and ate outside -- it was sunny, breezy, and pleasant. Seems they got t-storms all around us (so no more 85F+ days for us) but not right where we were.

Still, I'm glad I took the day off as I'm sure my body needed the rest. We'll be riding today for sure. Costco run!

ny biker

05-09-2014, 11:40 AM

Same for us Crankin here. Very cloudy now, rain in forecast. I have my 1st ever 90km ride tomorrow - starting at 8:30am and not sure we'll get there. But rain is supposed to stop at around noon. It will be too late. And it is rain or shine. But the next day is full sun. There is another 65 or 100km ride. I may try to hop on that one if I feel like it. But it is another $40 each. For something I already paid (tomorrow). We'll see.

Helene, I once did a century ride in nor'easter because I had already paid the registration fee and I thought the worst of the storm would pass early in the day. It turned out to be miserable all day long, and in the end I decided that sometimes you're better off staying home, even if it means you lose the fee that you pre-paid.

Be especially alert for dangerous weather, like lightning and winds. It's most important to be safe.

rebeccaC

05-09-2014, 03:07 PM

i wanna ride in a storm.....no lightning and just tailwinds though :)

taking the weekend off from riding and going skydiving with friends instead.

Dragonfly5

05-09-2014, 04:17 PM

Wednesday I decided to go for my first ever ride with the local club. I was expecting a 13-15 mile ride (that was Monday apparently!) We wound up doing 20 miles, my longest ever. I was super nervous at the beginning but after a few miles I got into a groove and had a really good time. The leader was really nice and made me feel very comfortable. I was soooo tired afterwards but I definitely felt more like "I can't wait to do it again" than "boy, I'll never do that again." lol

Crankin

05-10-2014, 12:23 PM

Today's ride was mundane.
We had to cancel the ride we were leading because it was raining right up until start time. This is a show and go ride, no way to inform anyone who was planning to attend. The AMC rule is "steady rain cancels," and we have to change this, or find a way to post a cancellation. It was pouring at 9:45, which was good (the ride was suppsoed to start at 10), and we conferred with the other 2 leaders at 8:30. I responded to the few people who had emailed me and they thanked me, but I am sure someone was waiting at the Keyes Rd parking lot :(. If it was anyone here, I am sorry. We did not want to take a bunch of new people/beginners out on wet roads, either. I am going to the bike committee meeting Monday to discuss this.
After putting away my wool sweaters and pants (well, just moving to a different room), going to the nursery and buying some flowers and a tree, lunch,, etc, we went for a 12 mile hilly ride. It's humid and quite warm. No gradual warm up here.
Doing 40 miles or so tomorrow. My back is a little tweaked, from something I did in boot camp Thursday, so hope it's OK. Back to the stretching.

emily_in_nc

05-10-2014, 04:55 PM

Congratulations, dragonfly5! Your 20 miles is more than probably 99.9% of adults in the US will ever ride at one time!

Yesterday, we did our Costco + extra ride -- clocked in 38.4 miles.

Today, we rode to the farmer's market in the morning (just under 5 miles) before breakfast. After eating, we did our long ride. 60.3 miles for me, my longest of the year. DH also got in his longest of the year, over 101 miles -- he continued on after I finished. Windy, warm, and hilly, it was a challenging but (I must admit) fun ride.

I'm trying to get in a bunch of miles this week as we travel to visit our parents (NC and Ohio) over the next two weeks, and riding miles will be curtailed signficantly. Gotta work on their yards and be social, you know! :D

For all of you getting rain, please send it here. We're getting parched here in KC...in the places that the thunderstorms missed (like where we're living at the moment)!

Grits

05-11-2014, 10:45 AM

I rode 32 miles yesterday with a few friends. We had an unusually cold and icy winter for NC, and I feel like I am starting over fitness wise. It was a great day for a ride, though! We call this ride the Mini Critter Crawl because it takes us by an alpaca farm and another one with emu's and donkeys. I love alpacas!
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Jolt

05-11-2014, 11:25 AM

Got out for a nice ride today...didn't keep track of mileage but was out for about an hour and a half enjoying the gorgeous day. The black flies are out--need to start bringing bug spray on rides! They're not a problem when one is going at a decent speed, but stop or slow way down and, well, yuck! Aside from that and having to stop a couple of times to adjust my saddle when it somehow got tilted up (must not have tightened the clamp enough when I adjusted it before the ride) it was a great ride. We really have some nice road riding here in Maine, including unexpected dirt-road sections at times (hooray for non-skinny tires!!).

Crankin

05-11-2014, 11:26 AM

Had a great Mother's Day ride, 45 miles, in perfect weather. We rode to the start, about 7 miles, and then did our "test" ride for the AMC bike rally in June, with the other 2 leaders. So many people out riding today, including moms and kids, who all had their helmets on incorrectly. But, I was good, I didn't say anything, as I usually do.
There was a Mother's Day brunch going on at Verrill farm, the start, and it was mobbed when we got back. DH and I made ourselves ride back there with the others, instead of directly home, and I am glad. Best of all, when I got home, I opened my email and I had a gift card to Open Table from my son in California.
I've been having a little trouble with mild cramping in my calves/hamstrings. Not sure what is going on. My hydration was spot on today (Skratch Labs). I felt it a little on my group ride Wednesday, but not when I commute.

emily_in_nc

05-11-2014, 01:42 PM

Grits, love the alpaca photo!

I just did a little 25-mile recovery ride today after yesterday's long effort. This is the first time in a long time I've had any hip (I say hip, but it's really more lower back on the right side) pain. I guess I did a little too much yesterday. It was very minor, but there. It's back to being incredibly windy here...not fun -- except when it's behind you!

marni

05-11-2014, 03:33 PM

Tusdays ride out around Sealy, Tx ( town of mattress fame) was 50 miles of country roads and rollers. It was basically pleasant for the first 30 miles as we had a tail and side wind. The return 20 miles were a misery 15 mph headwinds with gusts up to 40. Fortunately there were five of us and the paceline helped and the wind and low humidity (drought conditions already) kept the temperatures doable.

Yesterdays 50 miles on the local roads was much more doable, a good thing since I was riding on my own. Breezes were mostly side and quartering and only at about 10 mph. Glad I got off the road early though because they were back to 20-25 miles with heavier gusts.

I have a gut feeling this summer is going to be a repeat of the summer two years ago, drought, high humidity, lots of wind. Sigh....

Dragonfly5

05-11-2014, 03:59 PM

Managed to get in a 13.5 mile ride today before we took my mother in-law out to lunch today. The weather was perfect! Wind was a little gusty but I kept telling myself that it was "resistance training" lol. Emily, I have a four day weekend coming up and right now the extended forecast is calling for rain on every single one of them. I will GLADLY send that out to you!

TrekDianna

05-12-2014, 05:38 AM

I took the Salsa out yesterday to see how it would feel on a longer ride than just the commute. I did 34 miles and it felt great.

Fredwina

05-12-2014, 07:44 AM

I did 40 miles on Saturday, but none yesterday.
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colorisnt

05-12-2014, 07:57 AM

Glad to see you ladies had some cool rides.

We had a great weekend with family back home in Indiana, my sister and her BF graduated, my BF asked my parents for their blessing on our hopeful engagement in the near future to much success and we saw a whole lotta cyclists out but no riding on our parts. And it doesn't look like our long ride will happen this week either thanks to terrible weather. I want to get some quick miles in today on the commute but we have severe storms coming and I'm not sure. Blargh.

We determined the next time we are going back WITH the bikes and more time! I missed Brown County State Park something fierce.

ny biker

05-12-2014, 01:29 PM

Crankin, re: announcing canceled rides -- I have a tale of two clubs. One club posts ride news (cancellations and other important announcements) right on their website's main page, and again on the top of the page that shows the ride schedule for the month. Anyone who views the website can see the ride updates; you do not have to be a member and you do not have to be logged in. There is also a voluntary yahoo group for members only, and most ride updates are also sent there.

The other club has a forum section on their website, and ride updates are supposed to be posted there. You need to drill down a couple of links to find the page with the ride news. Also you have to be a club member and be logged into the website in order to see it. There is also an unofficial gmail listserv that was started by people who did not want anyone to moderate what they say. It is not publicized and you only know it exists if you overhear someone talking about it. Most ride leaders post their ride updates to the secret unofficial gmail list.

The first club is friendly and welcoming to new members. The second club is neither. I recommend taking an approach like the first club -- keep things simple and obvious to anyone who might show up for a ride.

(Okay yes I am ticked off at the second club and recently decided not to renew my membership with them, so that was a bit of a rant. I actually did a ride with them yesterday. I emailed the leader on Saturday with a question about the ride start location. It turned out that the actual start location was several blocks away from the address posted on the schedule. The ride leader said she would make sure to send an email to the secret gmail listserv to make sure everyone was aware of this. I pointed out that not everyone knew about the secret gmail listserv, but she didn't seem to care about that. Many people went to the wrong location as a result.)

I rode 46 miles yesterday. The weather was perfect. I guess I've been doing some pretty flat rides lately, because my pace was slow yesterday and I thought there was a lot of climbing, but when I plotted the route on ridewithgps.com, it was not really all that hilly. We were in an area of Virginia that I don't often visit. Some of the roads were very nice, quiet lanes with no traffic. Then there were the parts on roads with a speed limit of 55 mph, one lane in each direction and no shoulder. After the ride I visited a friend who is in the hospital, then went home, ate lots of food and called my mother.

emily_in_nc

05-12-2014, 07:02 PM

I did blog post about our long ride on Saturday. It's here if anyone is interested:

http://travelingtwosome.weebly.com/1/post/2014/05/what-we-saw-on-a-long-ride-to-de-soto-kansas.html

Didn't ride today due to off and on rain, lots of wind, and way too much to do. We're moving out of the house we've been renting in Prairie Village, KS on Wednesday so are busy busy busy. We did get a LOT done today, though, so we think we'll have time to ride tomorrow and take our cable modem back to Time-Warner Cable when disconnecting our service. Since we'll be doing an errand we can justify a ride too!

Crankin

05-13-2014, 02:18 AM

I commuted yesterday and it was so warm, I had to stop at 9 AM and take off my bolero, which I was wearing over a sleeveless jersey! Actually had to use my hygiene supplies when I got there, because I was sweaty, even after my little 5.2 mile ride where I purposely go slowly.
I went to the Bike Committee meeting last night, and found out we can post a ride as cancelled on the on line trip listing site of the club. It would have been nice if someone had told us! This is only an issue for show and go rides, as the other ones I do, people have to call and register with me. Some of the other leaders make a google list or use the Yahoo group. I cannot start doing all that... usually the rides where i screen people and they register with me are smaller and I have no problem calling them about a cancellation. The whole thing is justa problem because we are part of an outdoor club, where the corporate office is just starting to realize that not everyone who belongs is there for hiking and backpacking.

ny biker

05-14-2014, 02:21 PM

Normally I would be getting ready for a bike ride right now. And I would really like to go for a ride this evening, but I'm sick. I started coming down with a cold on Monday night. The thing is that right now I'm alternating between feeling fine for a while and then feeling not so good for a while, and during the feeling-fine parts it's driving me crazy to think I should just stay home and rest.

I'm not sneezing much, I can breathe fine, and the sore throat phase didn't last long. My legs feel like they're up to the challenge. It's just that my brain feels a bit fuzzy at times. For example I just typed "store throat" instead of "sore throat" and almost didn't notice it. :D

I guess I really need to stay home and rest. Grrrr.

p.s. to Crankin -- one good thing that the second (bad) bike club does is post in the original ride listing if there are weather conditions that will cause the ride to be cancelled, such as temps colder than 40 or hotter than 95, or if the chance of rain is greater than a certain % or the roads are wet at the start time. Something like that might help for your show and go rides.

Crankin

05-14-2014, 02:35 PM

NY, we will just post in the original listing something like "look at trip listing for cancellation by 8:30 AM." Our stock statement is "steady rain cancels." It just would have been nice if someone had told me this! I've been a leader for 9 years. My own personal limit is above 30% chance of rain, or if the radar really shows something moving in.
I rode with my friend this afternoon, only 15 miles. It was beautiful, but she is exceedingly slow. I sprinted ahead on 2 roads, so I did get a workout. I had to see a client this morning, so no group ride. And, the ride was listed as 47 miles at a spirited pace, or 23 miles at a relaxed pace. I wanted neither, though 47 miles at a moderate pace would have done well. My issue is, I can do the faster pace, but not for that long. They would encourage me to come, and then I'd hold them back.

Jolt

05-14-2014, 05:14 PM

Very mundane, short ride today--just a quick run to the LBS to pick up a bottle of degreaser and get my new Lambda pedals put on (which I am quite happy with...they work nicely with the flexible/thin soled shoes I tend to wear). Then came home and cleaned the drivetrain...it appeared that the person from whom I bought the bike hadn't done that in a while. It looks much better now! I need to do the same to the Trek but didn't get to it today.

Crankin

05-17-2014, 12:44 PM

It turned out to be a gorgeous day, after torrential rain that ended around 8:30 AM. I didn't think I'd get any riding in this weekend, because the forecast was so sketchy. Just got back from 23 miles, nothing special, but we did do most of the route sort of backwards from the usual way, so that's always different. The biggest event of the ride was we were sitting at Great Brook Farm, eating a snack when I looked up and saw the crazy father of my very first client when I became a therapist. Thank God I had my helmet on. I jumped up, told DH "I gotta go," and got on my bike, really fast. That man was so threatening my boss had to call the police to have him stop harrassing our receptionist!
I should not have had gazpacho before riding....

Crankin

05-19-2014, 03:32 AM

Did about 20 Sunday afternoon. We set out with no idea where we were going, except to ride slowly. Ha, that's often a recipe for disaster. After climbing up Strawberry Hill first, we headed out to do our "flat ride," which is really pretty flat until we get back to the house. Of course, being flat, the speed ratcheted up, until by the time we got back to the neighborhood, I had my fastest ride of the year. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to ride in a flat place all of the time, which is why I don't pay much attention to my speed, given the terrain around here. Yes, not mountains, but lots of very short, steep hills and rollers. Anyway, the weather was cooler that Saturday, which I appreciated. I have discovered I really feel it once it goes over 70 degrees. If there was a gradual increase, it would be OK, but this being New England, of course not!
So many riders out today, and it was already about 2 when we left. There was a Brain Tumor Society ride that went through my neighborhood earlier, so that was why we waited.

Dragonfly5

05-19-2014, 05:49 AM

Got together yesterday with some ladies that I met through a facebook cycling group (see? FB is good for something!) Went for a 22 mile ride - my longest so far. (i'm looking forward to the days when I can be like some of you and say "Oh just went for a short spin - about 20 miles." lol One pedal stroke at a time ;) ) The weather was nice, not too hot or too cool. The sun peeked out here and there. I'm really loving meeting new people that enjoy cycling as much as I do.

Jolt

05-19-2014, 09:25 AM

Longest ride so far for me too (at least recently)...about 25 rolling miles or so with a total of 972 feet of climbing (need to get a bike computer, MapMyRide is a PITA to try to get the route entered right). It got interesting when one road first turned into a dirt road (no problem there), then into what appeared to be an ATV trail--this was NOT shown on my map, it just appeared that the road continued. So, I started down the trail thinking it would hook back up with the road. I must say, the LHT did pretty well off-road except for coming to a dead stop in the middle of a puddle with squishy mud at the bottom (which really had more to do with my having slowed down too much before hitting it) resulting in me having to dismount in the middle of said muck and finish the ride with soaked shoes. Shortly after crossing that mess, the trail became a pretty steep uphill at which point I said "screw this, I'm turning around" and went back the way I came, then found another road that led to the rest of the loop I had planned. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, and BTW I did find the other end of the road that seemed to turn into a trail, maybe next time I will follow it and see where it actually goes. I won't even say how long the ride took me, because it's embarrassing. Suffice it to say, it was enough saddle time for me to realize there are a couple more adjustments I need to make to the bike before my 50-mile ride that's coming up.

ny biker

05-19-2014, 12:00 PM

I rode on Saturday. It was a 58-mile club ride with a stop at a strawberry festival after 45 miles. The terrain was flat for most of the ride and the group I was with rides fast. My average speed halfway through the ride was 16 mph, which is very high for me. Fortunately at that point someone else cried uncle, and four of us ended up riding together at a more manageable pace for the rest of the ride. My average was 15.1 at the end, still higher than average for me, and I'm still feeling it in my legs. Also I've had a bit of a cold for a week now, and I felt worse yesterday than I did the day before the ride. I spend most of yesterday on the couch but I'm still feeling a bit weak today.

I had strawberry shortcake at the festival and brought home four chocolate-covered strawberries, which I enjoyed for lunch yesterday.

IBrakeforPastry

05-19-2014, 01:59 PM

It's so nice reading about everyone's rides! Except for local errands, I haven't been out yet at all. When I finally had some time last weekend, I came down with a cold, then some allergy attack (new to me in the past two years) that kept me home from work for a day, cold weather, hot weather. Now I'm working midnight shifts. So I hope it's okay to ride vicariously through this thread, and hopefully get out soon! But I did get the bikes out of the basement, wiped down and adjusted.

redrhodie

05-20-2014, 09:05 AM

I've been riding like once a week of late. I took my white bike out today for her first ride of the year. It was really windy and that bike is much better in the wind than my others.

It was a pretty day with white caps on the water and gold finches flying. I had California Stars playing in my head on a loop. Doesn't get much better than that! I once had Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen stuck in my head on every bike ride for weeks. It was ominous, so this was pleasant in comparison.

Glad you're all still riding!

Blueberry

05-20-2014, 09:23 AM

Glad you're all still riding!

Glad you are too! I've missed "seeing" you as much around here!

Crankin

05-21-2014, 09:57 AM

I did not have the motivation to drive 40 miles for a group ride along the north shore, so I rode with a friend who does a lot of work for both of the clubs I belong to. The one that was with me when my shift lever broke. It is absolutely gorgeous out. We didn't ride anywhere special, just around Carlisle, Westford, Chelmsford, and then we stopped at Ferns for lunch. Just as we were rolling in, another leader from one of the groups was there, just finishing up arrowing for a ride. We ate together, and then I took off to go home. About 27 miles.
Anyway, we are heading to NYC for Fri.-Sunday, so no riding until Memorial Day. I kind of am looking forward to the rest. Lots of walking, though.

colorisnt

05-21-2014, 05:07 PM

I did a recap of the last couple of weeks on my blog. Not a lot of riding but keeping up with our long ride goals. We did a ride that combined wine and beer tasting on Monday.

http://elleonwheelsblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/a-week-of-beautiful-bikes/

Dragonfly5

05-21-2014, 06:05 PM

I got in 15 miles this morning after sitting at my kitchen table fully dressed for a half hour while the little voice in my head tried to talk me out of going. "I don't want to ride alone" it said but of course it was really too late to call anyone go with me. I sucked it up and went b/c I knew I have to work all weekend and if I didn't go I'd kick myself in the *** later. Despite all that, it was a pleasant ride.

Jolt

05-21-2014, 06:13 PM

Tried out the weekly women's ride from one of the Portland shops this evening...20 miles and I got my butt kicked. It wasn't that the distance or terrain was any problem, or that I felt bad afterward (I didn't), just that almost everyone else was way faster (meaning, all but one person out of the probably 10-12 who were there). Not surprising, given that 1) I am not a fast rider by any stretch and 2) everyone else was on significantly lighter/faster bikes. It's a no-drop ride, but there were still a couple of points where I lost sight of the group and that made me really nervous since I didn't know the route. I may try to ride with this group some weeks, in order to push myself, but would like to find a group that I might fit in better with and not be the annoying straggler. The one woman who was riding slower than me said she leads a weekly ride in a neighboring town so I may try that one out.

emily_in_nc

05-21-2014, 06:21 PM

We've been at my mother's house in western NC for the past week and have only had time to do three rides. It's quite hilly around here (in the foothills) and very little flat terrain at all, so shorter distances seem harder than other places we've ridden lately. I've ridden 20, 25, and 30 miles over the past week, taking a day off in between each ride to do other things and spend time with my mom. Tomorrow is another day off, then we head up to Ohio to my DH's parents. We always get some riding in up there, but we also have quite a bit of yard work to do for them (as we did here for my mom), so mileages and number of rides will probably be similar to here.

rebeccaC

05-21-2014, 07:49 PM

This is my second trip to Bellingham Wa. The first time was quick on my way to ride in the San Juan Islands. Doing a couple of days work in Bellingham this time gave me a chance to ride Mt Baker highway. Lower farm land to timbered mountain with beautiful shades of green everywhere, fast flowing rivers and snow on the side of the road towards the summit. Clear good roads with little traffic on a weekday.

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Sky King

05-22-2014, 06:32 AM

RebeccaC!!! that looks like an terrific ride, I think I am putting it on my wish list now

colorisnt

05-22-2014, 12:39 PM

RebeccaC, that looks BEAUTIFUL!

rebeccaC

05-22-2014, 10:08 PM

RebeccaC!!! that looks like an terrific ride, I think I am putting it on my wish list now

I've forgotten who it was but someone posted some photos of a Mt Baker ride here and that put it on my wish list :)

colorisnt...I haven't spent much time in the PNW but every time I've been I've had a great time.....and it IS gorgeous this time of year!!!!!

ny biker

05-23-2014, 07:28 AM

I didn't do my Wednesday night hill ride this week, because there were thunderstorms forecasted during ride time and because I'd been feeling sick (mostly very weak) for several days due to a lingering cold. I felt much better yesterday, and though we did have more storms in this area, they were east of where I ride. So I did the Wednesday ride on Thursday. It was breezy, which kicked up the pollen, but my eyes only really bothered me for a short time. It was the first evening ride I've done this year where I didn't need any extra layers, and in fact my short sleeved jersey seemed too warm in the beginning.

Tomorrow is a big club ride that is a tradition for Memorial Day weekend, and it will be in the area that got the storms last night. I saw on the news that a 15-foot deep sink hole opened on one of the roads that is part of the ride. They've had to change the route to get around it. The detour is quite nice, though -- I led a ride earlier this year on the same roads and was looking forward to going back there again.

azfiddle

05-23-2014, 08:00 AM

Wow RebeccaC- that is beautiful. We were in Washington a few years ago and rode Mt St. Helens and did some other rides around Mt. Vernon and Bellingham.

My mundane ride this morning was a commute into the LAST DAY OF WORK for the school year. Trying to stay focused on cleaning my classroom right now.

colorisnt

05-23-2014, 08:48 AM

Going to go out in a bit since today is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL. Tomorrow, I have plans to ride a new trail with a friend before heading to a friend's wedding in STL. Then home, maybe a ride with the BF on Sunday, and then to the zoo to see the BF's kids on Monday. Big weekend. Lots of driving but also lots of riding (I hope!).

ETA: Oh my god. So MANY things today. I had an amazing ride going, took some cute pictures 17134

But then about 3 minutes after taking this, I got a HUGE flat - found what I thought was the source (glass in my tire) and then patched it dutifully. Felt like a boss but then I pumped and pumped with the frame pump. AWFUL. SO AWFUL. So, then I checked the tube once more. By this point, my hands were KILLING me from pumping and working the hard bead on my cross tires. I found 2 more snakebites from glass, said screw it, put in new tube which was holding air but I still had that stupid pump. A guy comes along while I am on the phone with my boyfriend crying at this point because it's been an hour between all the switchouts, the pumping, and just general nonsense trying to stay away from a snake, spiders, etc. FML. Anyhow, he gives me a jolt of CO2 (with the CO2 pump I JUST ordered earlier this week!) and boom. Good to go, right?

Wrong. I end up getting back on the bike, not thinking about truing. My back brake was off because it's too tight for me to ever get it back on. I get stopped by my wheel and go a** over teakettle on the trail. I'm fine. Barely scraped up at all because I fell to the right into leaves which thankfully weren't poison ivy laden. Some guy comes up. I'm now sobbing, kicking my own back tire upset. He asks me if I am okay as I true it back and I assure him I am but I just want to throw my bike in the forest. He laughs and says, "You have a really pretty bike to be throwing it into the forest, kid." He was right but oye. I have a riding date in the morning and I will go but I'm still angry about the bike.

cosc

05-24-2014, 08:24 AM

colorisnt

05-24-2014, 09:13 AM

I did a solo 50 mile out and back ride training for the Bran-Nebraska ride the 2 week of June! Definitely need more miles in my legs. One good climb out of the river bottom, few rolling hills, and a stiff head wind until I turned around.
Cons: I couldn't get my new to me, spd sl cleats to release after many attempts. I've only been using road cleats for a few rides and was hoping practice would make it easier. I look like a violent bicycler as I'm attempting to free myself from the clips. My knee and hip got sore from all the effort. Running out of water before the end of the ride will not happen again. Not one of my more enjoyable rides.
Pros: I did not crash or run into anything while stuck in my pedals!

I surely empathize with you Colorists trying to fix your flats and all your trouble. Glad your fall wasn't worse.

Good for you! That's awesome :) Have you adjusted the tightness of your release mechanisms? I just put new cleats on (wooot wooot so much mileage I needed them!) and I had to work to turn my release back down again. They were just too hard to get out of for my liking and I'm not used to them being so grabby. It's no fun with city cycling to have them that tight.

And thanks. Yeah, me too. I'm a bit banged up so the pictures for my friends' wedding if I'm in any are going to be lovely but the BF says my bruises and scrapes are barely noticeable (which is good because I'm wearing a short dress). My shorts and jersey tan are more likely to be an issue. I am sore today especially through my arms and shoulders. Was supposed to ride with my friend N today but we got rained out. Boo. So, instead, I am enjoying some beignets and coffee and working on some fun stuff like nails, hair, and makeup before the drive to STL.

Scrappy

05-24-2014, 09:11 PM

Happy Memorial Day Saturday! Spent the day on the MTB trails learning the "ins' and outs'" of SPD pedals. Tipped over once, but righted myself before going down :p

Scrappy

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MarieV

05-24-2014, 11:28 PM

Since the weather finally started getting nicer in Seattle this month, and May is Bike-to-Work month I started bike commuting again. I even organized a Bike-to-Work team for our division at the college where I teach. Even though the weather's been mostly beautiful and sunny, sadly I've only bike commuted four times, mainly because of a minor crash and a crazy schedule, but fortunately, my team members are more dedicated than I am.

Today I also did my first Seattle International Randonneurs 100 km ride for the year, the Centennial Trail Run. I'm starting to increase my miles to prepare for the RSVP in August. We've been watching the Tour of California and the Giro d-Italia, and I always love watching how the stage winners cross the finish line and bow or do something else cool with their hands off the handlebars. Since the trail's mostly flat and not too busy I asked my husband to teach me how to ride without holding onto the handlebars. Here are some photos from our ride today.

http://www.drmariev.com/Cycling2014/CentennialTrail-nohandsv4.jpg

http://www.drmariev.com/Cycling2014/CentennialTrail-May2014v3.jpg

http://www.drmariev.com/Cycling2014/AudunnLakeMcMurraystore-May2014.jpg

Crankin

05-25-2014, 12:35 PM

We did a 7 mile bike tour through Central Park. I proved I could ride without bike clothes, but I did have to lower the seat to feel comfortable on the heavy duty bike I was on. A lot of stopping, but there were a few hills. Fun.

Jolt

05-25-2014, 03:57 PM

25 mile loop after work with some pretty good hills...I'm realizing that I don't so much mind the longer gradual climbs as I do the short steep hills--those are hard, especially if they come soon after a stop sign. I managed to drop my chain right at the beginning of one hill (ugh)...thank goodness for the work gloves I keep in my trunk bag! Average speed was about 12 mph (ride took a little over 2 hours), and according to MapMyRide the total elevation gain was 1117 ft (why does it sound so unimpressive when it seemed like such a hilly ride???). Hoping I will be able to manage OK on Sunday's 50 miler...I think the limiting factor is going to be saddle discomfort if I don't figure out how to not get soft tissue irritation from that cutout.

Irulan

05-25-2014, 05:07 PM

Yesterday I did my first backcountry "epic" -ish ride of the season. I know one of the trail gnomes ( anonymous volunteer) who works on a certain trail system. He spends a lot of time riding around with a Bob trailer full of chainsaws and other tools. He will always let me join him on some non- published rides that are awesome. So this one was 14 miles,3300 ft ascent on real old school singletrack through cedar forests near Lake Coeur d'Alene. I wish I had pics, but I guess I don't. There was lots of fresh -enough bear scat and it was a lovely. I'm always happy when I can do a big long ride like that, not bonk, not get dehydrated, not crash and not have a recovery hangovber the next day.

azfiddle

05-26-2014, 10:40 AM

We went camping near Payson Arizona. I took a short ride from our campground at about 5900 above sea level, to the top of the Mogollon Rim, at about 7400 feet. Nice steady grade with a wide enough shoulder on the uphill portion, but not much room on the downhill side, so that was a little scary. Fortunately, the traffic was mostly still going uphill when I rode.

Today was a "training" ride with high cadence intervals.

Crankin

05-26-2014, 11:42 AM

This weekend has been an absolute bust for me, as far as riding goes. Got home late last night from NYC, with plans to do a 40-50 mile ride today. It was raining in the AM, clearing up around 10:30. I thought I'd go out around 12:30, after the original plan was scrapped. Then I looked at the radar and a line of storms were coming through. They got through here by 1:45, by which time I decided to take a walk, since DS was coming at 4. It's nice out now. Got back, and DS calls and says he's waiting until 6, when his wife can come with him. I am tired enough from our trip, to not be too upset, but... going out for a dark ride early tomorrow, as there will be no commuting, with thunderstorms forecast for the time I ride home from work.
Az, I know exactly which road you are talking about. I have a picture of me in a rowboat on the lake by that campground, about 7 months pregnant. I couldn't stand the heat any longer, so we drove up on a Sunday, rented the canoe, and basically chilled out in the shade in the 70 degree temps. Then we drove up to the rim.
Was it hard to ride up to that elevation?

ny biker

05-26-2014, 04:36 PM

I rode on Saturday. There's a big multi-club ride every year on Memorial Day weekend, with two routes to choose from on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. This year I decided to use it as a chance to scout out an area that I want to include on a ride I'm planning to lead later this summer, so I made a modified route, which started and ended with the longer cue sheet, switched to the shorter one in the middle, and then went off the planned course to the area I wanted to check out. Four friends rode it with me. After the second rest stop we added an impromptu detour through a small town near the bay for a few extra miles. The weather was perfect and we had a great ride. The total distance was 53 miles.

Early on we rode through some broken glass (it was brown glass, hard to see until it was too late), and shortly thereafter one friend realized he had a flat tire. While he was fixing it, I checked my tires and found a small piece of glass embedded in one of them, but not deep enough (yet) to cause a problem. I was able to remove it. Then I took some pictures. The road where we stopped is in a rural area near the Patuxent River.

17143

rebeccaC

05-27-2014, 08:40 PM

Did 31 miles from work to the top of Mandeville Canyon road with the 12 to 15% grades of the Arbutus/Banyon/Cordelia adjoining climbs on the way back. We stopped at one of my favorite restaurants on my way home for toasted avocado tartine and a beet and burrata salad and rode home as the sun was setting.

Crankin

05-28-2014, 04:18 AM

Yesterday, DH and I went out at about 5:15 AM, for a short ride. It's already light out, but since it was cloudy, I had my headlight on low/flashing. We rode through town (a lot more cyclists out at this time of the year!) and up Nawshawtuc Hill, and then back around the other side of Concord center, for a grand total of 13.5 miles after arriving at the top of our hill. The 2 hills added in some good added intervals.
When we were leaving, I think my vest got caught on the nose of my saddle as I was pushing off and I crashed, right in my driveway :eek:. After riding for 14 years, it amazes me that this can happen. No real damage, a chain ring tatoo on my calf, which is pretty much gone today, and slight bruising on my elbow. I used antibiotic cream yesterday, and what was there has healed up already. I've said this in other places, but every time I switch from bike to bike, it takes me half the ride to get used to whatever bike I am riding. Since I had last ridden a city type bike in NY, I think I was also not reminding myself to push up to get on the saddle on my Guru.
Another rainy Wednesday, where I had planned to go on a 42 mile group ride that was leaving from Concord. Bah. Heading out to the gym soon.

Catrin

05-28-2014, 04:39 AM

Yikes Crankin, glad you are ok!

NY Biker, looks like a beautiful place to ride :-)

Helene2013

05-28-2014, 05:07 AM

Wow. Glad your are ok too. It is those "stupid" accidents that you'd never think could happen in the back of your mind.

Reminds me as I removed my coat (of course we stopped for this!) on the ride Saturday. I tied it around my waist, making sure that it did not touch anything but my waist. I was so afraid of something happening. And I made sure by asking my husband who followed me if something was showing below whatever and I was ok.

Something NOT to do on a bike: :eek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stiqJsvPoZ0

Crankin

05-28-2014, 07:26 AM

My DH can do that quite well.

cosc

05-28-2014, 07:49 AM

My tues. and wed. rides were 30 and 40miles- almost the same route with 8 miles being on the interstate. Temps were the warmest of the year, high 80's and I was making sure to hydrate more than usual.
Pro's: I oiled my spd sl and backed off the tension more than I thought was recommended but could get unclipped on first try. Whopee!
Not windy which is abnormal for this part of the world.
No more sunburn with my light long-sleeved jersey
Con's: My poor feet
Ahead on the interstate a dot truck was spraying pesticides to get rid of weeds by the shoulder-The smell-fumes gave me a slight headache. I was glad
to get home.
Crankin it is so easy to take for granted things that we have done many times-most the time with ease such as getting on your bike. I still have the oh no moments when my shorts get caught on my saddle. Swinging my foot over my bike is another easy thing, but hit my saddle the other day and almost bit the dirt.

colorisnt

05-29-2014, 09:50 AM

About 22 miles of hills in yesterday! Yay for me! I felt so accomplished in 90 degree heat feeling like a superstar. Kept up with a guy who was on the bike team in town, paced really well for about 5 miles with him. It was all great minus one dog who tried to attack me. I had thankfully come to a stop because his owner was yammering on her phone and taking up the entire path I was using. Dog was back behind her apparently. He saw me slowing down and then took off. I didn't have time to get off my bike and was screaming and hollering for help before I kicked at him and hit him squarely in the head with my cleat.

Owner was apparently cellphone girl who didn't even bother to get off the phone or come collect her dog who eventually backed off. She was CRAZY and so fuming at me for kicking her dog. I explained to her that under BSL that is likely to go into effect, she would be smart to keep her bully-breed dog ON leash in an area where off-leash walking is prohibited because if he actually does attack someone, he WILL be put down immediately. I hate the idea of BSL but it's stupid people like her that cause people to yell how pitbulls attack people. It was just a poorly socialized animal. I felt sorry for the dog.

Crankin

05-29-2014, 11:33 AM

It is always the dumb azz owners. Really, some people shouldn't have pets.
I am sure you will get comments about this, but I would have done the same thing. I am not that fond of dogs to begin with, but mix dogs and bikes, and it's more like I'm petrified. I've only had to deal with this once on my bike, and of course, with my next door neighbor's dog. They have to be the most clueless people in the world, and I feel sorry for their pet, who obviously is a rescue dog that needs special training/care. The dog has been recently roaming in our garden areas (we see it both in person and on our security camera), which leads me to believe the owners have no clue he is escaping or they let him out on purpose, without caring.

azfiddle

05-29-2014, 05:27 PM

Colorisn't - The dog incident sounds pretty rotten- the rest of the ride sounds good.
Crankin' - totally sympathetic to the falling event. Glad you're ok

I've ridden every day this week- Monday, high cadence intervals (otherwise ho-hum, flat & hot), Tuesday up into the cool and green of Sabino Canyon with a friend, yesterday - my coach texted me to see if I wanted to do an "easy" ride with her. It was close to 100 out still, and I overheated, but I couldn't turn her down. Her "easy" was not hard for me, but definitely not a recovery ride pace. Today I took the Surly LHT out to try her after the fit and upgrades I got on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to getting shoes that fit because my thin-soled sneakers are just not good for 20+ miles.

colorisnt

05-29-2014, 05:27 PM

Jolt

05-29-2014, 06:19 PM

It's always the owners. Even the best dogs can be spooked by a bike or have a herding instinct and lunge after a bike if they aren't used to being around them. 99% of the dog owners on the trails are excellent and very respectful, which I love. I love dogs so I am happy to see people out enjoying their animals. I also have a very well-behaved dog with pretty perfect recall. We've never once had an issue. However, I would never bring him out there without a leash on. Most importantly because it's the law and secondly because I don't want to put him in a position to fail with all that traffic. It's a shame some dogs have owners that either don't care or don't want to pay attention. I really don't relish kicking a dog but if it's my life and safety in question, I will do it. And the dog was fine when he left. He was more startled by it than anything, which was the point. A 50 lb dog vs. my limited range of motion while standing over my top tube stood a good chance.

+1...I love dogs but hate it when owners are irresponsible like the incident you describe (if the owner had been paying attention, you wouldn't have been put in the rotten position of having to kick the dog--hope she realizes that). Getting back on the subject of rides, I tried out a different group ride this evening. We only went 15 miles (often they do 20 and I'd be happy to do more) but I definitely fit into this group better than the other one in terms of speed so will probably try to go semi-regularly even though it's a bit of a haul from where I live. It's nice being able to ride with a group and keep up...I even felt like I could have gone faster at certain points during the ride (mostly because there were times people were coasting when I would normally have kept pedaling). I also found out about another supposedly beginner/intermediate ride that is closer and happens on Wednesdays, so may check that one out. Next ride will be Sunday's 50 miler at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine women's ride; hopefully that goes well despite my not having gotten in as much mileage beforehand as I would have liked (weather has often been uncooperative).

Crankin

05-30-2014, 12:17 PM

Got in a 19 mile ride with Hirakukibou this afternoon. Rain is supposed to start at 4:00, thunder/lightening, too. There were dark clouds hanging over us as we set out, and we adjusted our route shorter and shorter as we went. I did not want to be caught in a thunderstorm. When we got close to my turn off point, we decided to both go back to Concord center, for coffee. It started sprinkling as we were sitting outside, so we both took off. Of course, the sprinkles stopped, and we probably would have been OK with the original plan, but I am fine with some miles rather than no miles!

colorisnt

05-30-2014, 01:45 PM

Crankin, yeah, I know the feeling. It's better to get some mileage in than none always!

Crankin

05-31-2014, 12:20 PM

15 of some the most torturous miles I've done. The last couple times I've ridden my Kuota, it seemed like the brakes got stuck after I put it away, or in the process, I banged something. DH checked, fixed something, but today I didn't spin the wheel before we left. I really thought I had lost all power, on every little climb. I could maintain a pretty good speed on the flats, but no flat roads until the second half of the loop. We sat on the porch at Ferns so I could rest. Seriously, I was ready to throw in the towel on this ride and even if I feel like this in the beginning of a ride, by the middle of this loop, I'm usually fine. There was a headwind, too. So, I got home and checked, and sure enough, brakes rubbing. Not totally stuck, but enough that I notice. On this loop, I know exactly how fast I usually go on good days, bad days, and in between, so I am not going crazy. We figured out this has happened since we replaced the brake/shifters and cables about a month ago. DH tightened something again, but said this should not be happening every time I ride. Will go to the bike shop if necessary, but this is rarely necessary in this house.

Catrin

05-31-2014, 12:56 PM

Glad you figured it out Crankin, and hope the two of you can figure out why it is happening again.

Fredwina

05-31-2014, 03:28 PM

I had a nice big blister, so I took a few days off riding. I did 42 miles today.
The American Queen in port:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uCWpqJkEDBk/U4oYhqKzjdI/AAAAAAAAYfw/oyyhmlsqnGM/s640/100_3476.JPG
Tom Lee (http://www.tomleeamemphishero.webs.com/history.htm ) Park:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vQE64ZMiuv4/U4oYoiEgrPI/AAAAAAAAYgQ/bWQq9RcCE4o/s640/100_3480.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rvZlQ4t3jds/U4oYui4QeHI/AAAAAAAAYgo/Hw19SqJveIQ/s640/100_3483.JPG
Looking Upriver:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71h_ItbWU-M/U4oYw9UZF5I/AAAAAAAAYgw/GvvGqbP5G-U/s640/100_3484.JPG

Jolt

05-31-2014, 04:19 PM

No ride for me today...getting ready for tomorrow's big (for me) ride...50 miles. Will be sure to post a ride report!

Crankin

06-01-2014, 12:16 PM

Did a 46.7 very hilly ride to Bolton Orchards for lunch and back. It's supposed to be 50, but because of road construction and tiredness, we took a bit of a shorter way home.
It's the first real summer like day of riding; really nice, about 75-78 and not too humid. That's good, because ofter lunch, we have a 5 mile climb, which isn't steep, but feels relentless, because of the lack of shade. All of yesterday's issues with my brakes rubbing are fixed and I made myself take this bike, even though I'd normally take the other one, with 2 lower gears on this kind of ride. I feel really wiped, and several "parts" are hurting, but my speed was the normal for this kind of ride and the heat didn't get to me. I had 2 bottles of Skratch Lab lemon-lime, and a bottle of water, and two Shot Blocks, as well as a nice chicken wrap and baked chips for lunch. I guess it took me this long to realize I need to eat more on these kinds of rides.
We'll see if I commute tomorrow, especially since I will go to boot camp before work.

Jolt

06-01-2014, 12:47 PM

50 mile ride done! It went well considering I had only gotten up to doing 25 or so at a time before today. The ride was very well organized and lots of people did it, so it was a fun atmosphere. It was interesting to look at what kinds of bikes everyone else was riding; mostly light, fast road bikes but there were a few other touring-type bikes and a few hybrids too. However, I surprisingly did not see any other Surlys (Truckers or otherwise). We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for the ride, and the roads were generally in good condition. I did learn a few things this ride: 1) Hanging around too long at rest stops, whether because of lines for the porta-potties or getting into a conversation with someone and wanting to be polite, is counterproductive--I found that particularly after the last rest stop, where I had someone talking my ear off and stayed longer than I should have, it was hard to get into a good groove again. 2) Chamois cream is helpful for long rides...I tried some "Hoo Ha Ride Glide" (still think this brand name is hilarious) and I think it prevented some discomfort. 3) Despite being small and lightweight, I am not very good at climbing...got passed by a ton of people while going uphill. Something to work on I guess. 4) I am not speedy and probably never will be, but I can go for quite a while at my slow pace. I might even try for a century later in the season. 5) How to pay attention to a cue sheet while riding...it helped that I got a map holder that attaches to my handlebars and stem so I could just open it up when I needed to see what was coming up. All in all, a good experience!

ETA: Oooops...this should go in a June rides thread!

ny biker

06-01-2014, 02:41 PM

I did this metric yesterday:

http://ohbike.memberlodge.org/events?eventId=820421&EventViewMode=EventDetails

It's one of my favorite rides every year. I rode with several friends and saw others at the rest stops and picnic, since I'm a member of the club that organizes it. The weather was nearly perfect, with just a bit of a headwind towards the end. It was my first ride longer than 60 miles so far this year, so my legs feel a bit tired today, especially when walking up stairs.

I just dropped my bike off at the LBS so they can put on my new, narrower handlebars. I also picked out new bar tape. Bontrager calls the color "plum" but it looks more of a cherry red to me. If all goes as planned I should have the bike back on Tuesday. My neck and shoulders get pretty sore on long rides and I'm hoping the narrower bars will help.